Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Outdoors
  3. News

Want to ski better? Elan’s Smart Ski Concept uses sensors to help you improve

By
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Wireless technology is changing the way we are able to collect and interpret data. The use of sensors is widespread across the fitness industry in the form of heart rate monitors, specialized trackers, and integrated training tools. This technology is now crossing over into the realm of outdoor sports — and Elan Skis is paving the way. The company recently introduced its Smart Ski Concept, a way to measure skiing dynamics and translate the information in real time.

Elan Skis is a renowned ski manufacturer located in the Slovenian Alps. The company has been dedicated to improving the sport through product development and innovation for the past 70 years. It consistently delivers world-class products and receives awards and praise in the design realm. The Smart Ski Concept debuted this year at ISPO with a demonstration of the technology integrated into its high-performance SLX Fusion ski. Attendees watched as the Smart Ski captured data from the sensation of skiing movement and relayed it onto a computer screen.

Recommended Videos

The Smart Ski Concept features sensors integrated into the body of the skis that measure the skier’s dynamics, creating accurate readouts of precise weight flex and balance distribution. When the skier carves a turn or executes a maneuver, the sensors react by capturing the data and relaying it to a cloud database where it can be stored and then analyzed.

1 of 5
elan skis smart ski concept elan1
Image used with permission by copyright holder
elan skis smart ski concept elan2
Image used with permission by copyright holder
elan skis smart ski concept elan3
Image used with permission by copyright holder
elan skis smart ski concept elan4
Image used with permission by copyright holder
elan skis smart ski concept elan5
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The data serves as a precise self-coaching tool through which you can evaluate weaknesses in your style and make improvements to your technique — it’s like your own virtual skiing coach. The provision of real time feedback serves as a personalized training program at your fingertips.

Please enable Javascript to view this content

“Our Smart Ski technology is a reflection of Elan’s leadership in innovation,” stated Melanja Šober, head of product management for Elan’s winter division, in a press release. “As consumers are connected across every touch point of their daily lives, it’s an advancement not only for Elan, but also for the ski industry to connect technology between the skier and their skis.”

Related

Although the Elan Smart Ski Concept is still currently in the prototype phase and not yet ready for production, you can stay tuned on the company’s website.

Editors’ Recommendations

Topics
Amanda Ellis
Amanda Ellis
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Amanda is an outdoor junkie and digital nomad with an insatiable hunger for gear. Based out of Raleigh, NC she travels to…
Juiced Bikes sold at auction for $1.2 million, report says
The Juiced Bikes Scorpion X2 adds more power, upgraded tires, and an improved battery to the popular moped style e-bike.

Juiced Bikes, the San Diego-based maker of e-bikes, has been sold on an auction website for $1,225,000, according to a report from Electrek.Digital Trends recently reported how the company was showing signs of being on the brink of bankruptcy. The company and its executives had remained silent, while customer inquiries went unanswered and its website showed all products were out of stock. In addition, there were numerous reports of layoffs at the company.Yet, the most convincing sign was that the company’s assets appeared as listed for sale on an auction website used by companies that go out of business.Now, it appears that Juiced Bikes’ assets, including a dozen patents, multiple URLs, and the company’s inventory in both the U.S. and China, have been sold at auction, according to the report. It is likely that the buyer, who remains unknown, can capitalize on the brand and the overall value of the 15-year old company. Founded in 2009 by Tora Harris, a U.S. high-jump Olympian, Juiced Bikes was one of the early pioneers of the direct-to-consumer e-bike brands in the U.S. market.
The company had quickly built a reputation for the versatility of its e-bikes and the durability of their batteries. Over the years, the popularity of models such as the CrossCurrent, HyperScrambler, and RipCurrent only bolstered the brand’s status.Last year, Digital Trends named the Juiced Bikes Scorpion X2 as the best moped-style e-bike for 2023, citing its versatility, rich feature set, and performance.Juiced Bikes’ getting sold quickly might be a sign of what consulting firm Houlihan Lokey says is a recovery in the North American e-bike market.
The industry has had a roller-coaster ride during and after the COVID-19 pandemic: A huge spike in demand for e-bikes had combined with disrupted supply chains to create a supply/demand mismatch of “historic proportions," Houlihan Lokey said.

Read more
Adventure time: SUPCASE has the ultimate gear for outdoor enthusiasts
A variety of outdoor gear options for the ultimate wilderness enthusiast.
Scenic view from inside a tent while camping.

You might know SUPCASE for its excellent collection of durable and rugged phone cases. But as it's in the industry of making tough gear for the adventurous sorts, it should come as no surprise that the brand also has a valuable collection of outdoor gear. Just to provide some examples, a multi-functional pocket tool, a rugged and water-resistant equipment case, a durable yet spacious backpack, or even a sleek yet reliable bottle opener.

In fact, there are quite a few options, so many that it could be tough to nail down just one tool or outdoor item you'd need. Naturally, we put together this guide to explore some of the ultimate gear, but you can always peep at them yourself, as well.

Read more
Aventon Abound SR combines thoughtful design, enhanced security, and smart connectivity
Aventon Abound SR hero image with couple on the e-bike

Electric bikes are nothing new at this point, and while there are many styles, few purportedly do-it-all, and even fewer actually offer smart or more advanced features. They tend to do one thing particularly well, like cruising, carrying cargo, or sightseeing -- like city riding -- but the biggest way they push the envelope is by offering that long-range electric power. The Aventon Abound SR, a new do-it-all bike, goes far and beyond anything that's come before it.

For starters, it's the first bike equipped with Aventon's electronic control unit (ACU) which empowers intelligent safety features. That gives you 4G and GPS tracking built-in, plus remote locking, an alarm system, and much more. But also, this top-of-its-class bike is incredibly versatile and is suitable for everything from commutes to tough exercise rides and daily routines. It features a top speed of 20 miles per hour, has a range of up to 60 miles per charge, and can carry a payload of up to 440 pounds. Impressive, indeed. Let's take a closer look and get a little more friendly with it, shall we?

Read more